A poltergeist is a type of ghost or spirit that is responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. The term "poltergeist" comes from the German words "poltern" (crash) and "geist" (spirit or ghost). Here are some key facts about poltergeists:
- Poltergeists are often depicted as capable of pinching, biting, hitting, and tripping people, as well as moving or levitating objects such as furniture and cutlery, or making noises such as knocking on doors.
- Foul smells, spontaneous fires, and electrical issues such as flickering lights are also associated with poltergeist occurrences.
- Poltergeists have traditionally been described as troublesome spirits who haunt a particular person instead of a specific location.
- Some variation of poltergeist folklore is found in many different cultures, and early claims of spirits that supposedly harass and torment their victims date back to the 1st century.
- Parapsychologists cant agree on what poltergeists are. Some view them as a type of ghost or supernatural entity responsible for psychological and physical disturbance, while others believe that such activity originates from "unknown energy" associated with a living person or a location. Sceptics prefer mundane explanations such as attention seeking, pranks, and trickery.
- Poltergeist activity typically starts with minor isolated incidents, such as unexplained sounds or familiar objects moving from their usual place. While poltergeist activity is typically short-lived, lasting around five months, some cases have persisted for several years.
In summary, a poltergeist is a type of ghost or spirit that is responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. The phenomenon has generated several major films and television programs, and while parapsychologists cant agree on what they are, poltergeist activity has been reported for centuries.
